Electronic apparatus system having an electronic apparatus unit and an expansion unit for expanding the function of the electronic apparatus unit by connection to an expansion card connector

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus system comprises a portable computer and an expansion unit containing a FDD for expanding the function of the computer. The computer has an inlet into which a memory card having a terminal is accessibly inserted, and a first connector is provided in the inlet, and the terminal of the memory card is detachably connected to the first connector. The expansion unit attaches underneath the computer and has a second connector connected to the FDD. The second connector is accessibly inserted into one inlet through an opening in the bottom of the computer and connected to the first connector at the time of the insertion, so that the computer and the expansion unit are electrically connected to each other.

This is a continuation of Application Ser. No. 07/940,641 filed Sep. 4,1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus systemcomprising a small-sized electronic apparatus unit such as a portablebook-type personal computer or wordprocessor and an expansion unithaving an expansion device for expanding the function of the electronicapparatus unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been widely used a portable book-type or laptop personalcomputer since such a personal computer can be easily carried and freelyused at a location where a commercial power source cannot be obtained.

In this type of the computer, it has been conventionally known to have acomputer wherein an inlet for inserting a memory card is formed in abase unit having a keyboard and a display unit, and a connector to whichthe end portion of the memory card is electrically connected is formedat the final end of the inlet. In this type of the computer, since theentire shape of the base unit is compactly designed so as to miniaturizeand lighten the whole body of the computer, there are provided onlyminimum functions working as an electronic apparatus. Due to this, in acase where a function other than the above minimum functions is needed,an expansion device having an additional function such as a hard discdriving device or a modem for communication is connected to the computerby a cable.

Therefore, in this type of the computer, an expansion connector isprovided in the back surface of the base unit. If a cable connector isinserted into the expansion connector, the electrical connection betweenthe computer and the expansion device can be made.

However, in this conventional computer, the connector for connecting thememory card and the expansion connector for connecting the expansiondevice must be provided in the base unit whose size is largely limited.Due to this, a space for providing two types of connectors in the baseunit must be ensured, and this prevents the miniaturization of the baseunit or causes a problem in the arrangement of the parts in the baseunit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic apparatus system wherein an expansion unit for expanding thefunctions of the electronic apparatus can be connected to an electronicapparatus unit by use of a connector for connecting a card-likeelectronic part in a manner that a base unit can be miniaturized andlightened, and the arrangement of parts can be realized with nodifficulty.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicdevice system wherein the connection of an expansion unit can be easilycarried out without using a special cable for external wiring and largespace in connecting the expansion unit.

In order to achieve the above objects, the electronic apparatus systemof the present invention comprises an electronic apparatus unit having acard insertion section into which a card-like electronic part having aterminal is accessibly inserted, and a first connector, provided in thecard insertion section, and detachably connected to the terminal, anexpansion unit containing an expansion device for expanding the functionof the electronic apparatus unit, and a second connector provided in theexpansion unit, the second connector is accessibly inserted into thecard insertion section and connected to the first connector at the timeof the insertion of the second connector into the insertion section, sothat the electronic apparatus unit and the expansion unit areelectrically connected to each other.

In order to connect the electronic apparatus unit to the expansion unit,the terminal of the card-like electronic part is detached from the firstconnector, and the card-like electronic part is taken out of the cardinsertion section. In this state, the second connector is contained inthe empty card insertion section, and the second connector is connectedto the first connector. By this connection, the electronic apparatusunit and the expansion unit are electrically connected to each other.Therefore, since the first connector for connecting the card-likeelectronic part can be used as a connector for connection of theexpansion unit, there is no need of a special connector, which isconventionally necessary for the expansion unit. In other words, thenumber of the connectors to be incorporated in the electronic apparatusunit can be reduced by one, so that the mounting space in the electronicapparatus unit can be reduced.

Moreover, in order to achieve the other object, the electronic apparatussystem comprises a card-like electronic part having a terminal, anelectronic apparatus unit having a bottom surface and a side surfacecontinuous to the bottom surface, the side surface has an inlet intowhich the card-like electronic part is detachably inserted as theterminal is guided as a head, and the bottom surface has an openingcorresponding to the insertion position of the card-like electronicpart, and a first connector to which the terminal of the cardlikeelectronic part is detachably connected is arranged in the opening, anexpansion unit containing an expansion device for expanding the functionof the electronic apparatus unit, and the expansion unit having anoverlaying surface on which the bottom surface of the electronicapparatus unit is overlaid, and a connector holder projected onto theoverlaying surface, and entering the opening when the electronicapparatus unit is overlaid on the overlaying surface, and the connectorholder is provided to be movable to a direction connection andseparating to/from the first connector in the opening, a secondconnector provided in the connector holder, and electrically connectedto the expansion device, and a connector connection mechanism providedin the expansion unit, moving the connector holder to a directionapproaching to the first connector, and electrically connecting thesecond connector to the first connector.

According to the structure of the present invention, in order to connectthe electronic apparatus unit to the expansion unit, the terminal of thecard-like electronic part is detached from the first connector, and thecard-like electronic part is taken out to the outside of the electronicapparatus unit from the inlet. Under this state, if the electronicapparatus unit is overlaid on the overlaying surface of the expansionunit, the connector holder is inserted into the electronic apparatusunit through the opening portion, and the second connector of theconnector holder is opposite to the first connector. Then, the secondconnector slides the connector holder in a direction approaching to thefirst connector through the connector operation mechanism. Thereby, thefirst connector and the second connector are connected to each other,and the electronic apparatus unit and the expansion unit areelectrically connected.

Since both connectors are directly connected, no special cable for anexternal wiring is required, and the connection working of the expansionunit can be easily carried out.

Moreover, since the expansion unit and the electronic apparatus unit areformed to be overlaid on each other, it is possible to increase thenumber of the expansion units, and a space necessary for expanding thefunction of the electronic apparatus unit may be small.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 20 show a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a personalcomputer is overlaid on an expansion unit according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the expansion unit;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which aconnector unit is detached from a case of the expansion unit;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state which is just before apersonal computer is overlaid on an overlaying surface of the expansionunit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a memory card istaken out of the personal computer;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a state, which is just beforethe personal computer is overlaid on the overlaying surface of theexpansion unit;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the personalcomputer is overlaid on the overlaying surface of the expansion unit,and a connector holder is inserted into an opening;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the personalcomputer is overlaid on the overlaying surface of the expansion unit,and a first connector and a second connector are connected to eachother;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connector holder, a connectoroperation mechanism for operating the connector holder, and a hookoperation mechanism of a movable hook;

FIG. 10 is a plane view showing the connector operation mechanism, thehook operation mechanism, and a holding mechanism contained in aconnector unit;

FIG. 11 is a plane view, partially a cross section, showing a state inwhich the connector holder is locked at a first position;

FIG. 12 is a plane view showing a state in which the connector holder islocked at a second position;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the structure in which theconnector holder is attached to a base plate;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view showing a pushing mechanism contained in thebase unit, seeing from the bottom surface side of the base unit;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the pushingmechanism is operated in a direction where the memory card or theconnector holder is pushed out;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing the pushing mechanism when theterminal of the memory card or the second connector of the connectorholder is connected to the first connector;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the memorycard is connected to the first connector;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the memorycard is detached from the first connector;

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 19--19 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 20--20 of FIG. 15;

FIGS. 21 to 46 show a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state just before a personalcomputer is overlaid on an expansion unit;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which the personalcomputer is overlaid on the expansion unit;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state in which the personalcomputer is overlaid on the expansion unit;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing state which is just before thememory card is incorporated into the personal computer by use of a tray;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the personal computer in a state adisplay unit rises;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the tray holding the memory cardand the structure of the pushing mechanism for pushing out the tray fromthe personal computer;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the memory card and the trayholding the memory card;

FIG. 28 is a cross section view showing a state which is just before thetray holding the memory card is inserted into the personal computer;

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the trayholding the memory card is inserted into the tray inlet of the personalcomputer;

FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the memorycard supported by the tray is connected to a first connector of thepersonal computer;

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view showing the positional relationshipbetween the tray and the pushing mechanism when the memory cardsupported by the tray is connected to the first connector of thepersonal computer;

FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the tray ispushed out from the personal computer by the pushing mechanism;

FIG. 33 is a cross sectional view showing the positional relationshipbetween the terminal of the memory card and the first connector when thetray is pressed out by the pushing mechanism;

FIG. 34 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 34--34 of FIG. 26;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the pushing mechanism;

FIG. 36 is a plane view showing the pushing mechanism;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state in which a personalcomputer is overlaid on an expansion unit;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view showing a slider of theexpansion unit, a terminal holder of the expansion unit, and the inletof the tray of the personal computer;

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which theslider of the expansion unit is detached from the main body of theexpansion unit;

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which theterminal holder holding the second connector;

FIG. 41 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the personalcomputer is overlaid on the mounting surface of the expansion unit;

FIG. 42 is a cross sectional view showing a state in which the secondconnector of the expansion unit and the first connector of the personalcomputer are connected to each other;

FIG. 43 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 43--43 of FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 44--44 of FIG. 41;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing a state which is just before thepersonal computer is overlaid on the overlaying surface of the expansionunit; and

FIG. 46 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 46--46 of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

FIG. 5 shows a book-type portable personal computer 1 of A4 size. Thecomputer 1 comprises a base unit 2 formed of synthetic resin. The baseunit 2 comprises a bottom case 3 and a top cover 4 covering the bottomcase 3, and the entire body of the base unit 2 is thin-box-shaped. Thebottom case 3 has a rectangular flat bottom surface 3a and a sidesurface 3b continuous to four circumferential edges of the bottomsurface 3a, and its upper surface is opened, and shallow-dish-shaped.

The top cover 4 covering the bottom case 3 has a front portion 4a and arear portion 4b. A keyboard 5 serving as an input device is attached tothe front portion 4a of the top cover 4. A display unit 7 having aliquid crystal display 6 of flat panel type is rotatably supported bythe rear portion 4b of the top cover 4. The display unit 7 is rotatablebetween the closed position where the keyboard 5 is covered and the openposition where the keyboard 5 is operably opened as an operator ispermitting viewing of the liquid crystal display 6. In a state that thedisplay unit 7 is rotated at the closed position, as partially shown inFIG. 4, the entire body of the computer 1 is flat and box-shaped for theconvenience of carrying the computer.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a printed circuit board 8 on which a largenumber of electronic parts are mounted is contained in the base unit 2.

A slit-shaped inlet 10 is formed in the side surface 3b of the rightside of the bottom case 3. The inlet 10 is used to insert a memory card11 serving as a card-type electronic part into the base unit 2. Theinlet 10 is opened between the bottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3and the printed circuit board 8.

As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of guide rails 12 and 13, which is used forguiding the insertion direction of the memory card 11, is screwed to thelower surface of the printed circuit board 8. The guide rails 12 and 13have a guide groove 14 into which both side portions of the memory card11 are slidably inserted. A first connector 15 to which the memory card11 is detachably connected is attached between the final ends of theguide rails 12 and 13. The first connector 15 is insertion-formed andhas a number of pin terminals 16. These pin terminals 16 areelectrically connected to the printed circuit board 8.

As shown in FIG. 5, a terminal 18 is formed at the top end in theinsertion direction of the memory card 11. The terminal 18 has a numberof pin holes 17 into which the pin terminal 16 of the first connector 15is inserted. A concave portion 19 is formed in each side surface of theterminal 18. The concave portion 19 is fitted to a convex portion 20,which is positioned at the final end of the guide groove 14, when thememory card 11 is inserted into the final end along the guide rails 12and 13. By fitting the concave portion 19 to the convex portion 20, thepin terminals 16 of the first connector 15 and the pin holes 17 of thememory card 11 are positioned.

Therefore, the memory card 11 is inserted from the inlet 10 in a statethat the terminal 18 is guided as a head, and guided to the guide rails12 and 13. Under this state, the memory card 11 is guided to the insideof the base unit 2. Then, if the pin holes 17 of the terminal 18 arefitted to the pin terminals 16 of the first connector 15, the memorycard 11 and the computer 1 are electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, in the base unit 2, there is contained apushing mechanism 22 for pushing the inserted memory card 11 to theoutside. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the pushing mechanism 22 has ametallic base panel 23, which is stretched between the guide rails 12and 13. As shown in FIG. 17, the base panel 23 is arranged on the uppersurface of the memory card 11, and one end reaches up to just before thefirst connector 15. A long and thin slide hole 24, which extends in theinsertion direction of the memory card 11, is formed in the centralportion of the base panel 23. A metallic slider 25 is overlaid on theupper surface of the base panel 23. The slider 25 has a guide piece 26,which is slidably fitted to the slide hole 24, and a pair ofpressing-out pieces 27a and 27b extending along the guide rails 12 and13. One end of the respective pressing-out pieces 27a and 27b is guidedto the lower portion of the base panel 23 through a through hole 28formed in the base panel 23. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a tongueportion 29, which is bent downward, is formed in one end of therespective pressing-out pieces 27a and 27b. The tongue portion 29 ispositioned between the pin terminals 16 of the first connector 15 andthe guide rails 12 and 13, and is hooked to the front surface of theterminal 18 of the memory card 11.

A link plate 31, which is used to slide the slider 25 along theinsertion direction of the memory card 11, is rotatably supported by theupper surface of the base panel 23. The link plate 31 extends in thedirection crossing the slide direction of the slider 25. Theintermediate portion of the link plate 31 is supported by the base panel23 via a shaft 31a. One end of the link plate 31 is overlaid on theupper surface of the guide piece 26 of the slider 25, and a cuttingpiece 33 of the upper surface of the guide piece 26 is hooked to anengagement piece 32 of the link plate 31. Due to this, if the link plate31 is rotated in a state that the shaft 31a is used as a fulcrum, therotation of the link plate 31 is converted to a linear movement, and thethe linear movement is transmitted to the slider 25. The slider 25 isreciprocated along the insertion direction of the memory card 11.

The other end of the link plate 31 is movably connected to a push button34 through a pin 35. The push button 34 is slidably supported by ahousing 36 so as to be reciprocated along the sliding direction of theslider 25. As shown in FIG. 20, the housing 36 is integrally formed inthe guide rail 12. One end of the push button 34 is passed through theside surface 3b of the bottom case 3 and guided outside. The push button34 is arranged on the side surface 3b of the bottom case 3 to beparallel with the inlet 10 of the memory card 11. In the side surface 3bof the bottom case 3, a recess 30, to which an operator inserts the tipof his finger, is formed, and one end of the push button 34 ispositioned at the inside of the recess 30.

Due to this, if the memory card 11 is inserted into the base unit 2through the inlet 10, both side portions of the front surface of theterminal 18 come in contact with the tongue portion 29 just before theterminal 18 reaches to the first connector 15. Then, the slider 25 isslid in the insertion direction of the memory card 11. As shown in anarrow of FIG. 16, by sliding the slider 25, the link plate 31 is rotatedcounterclockwise. Then, in a state in which the memory card 11 isconnected to the first connector 15, the push button 34 is maintained tobe projected into the recess 30.

For taking out the memory card 11 inserted into the base unit 2, theprojected push button 34 is pushed into the recess 30 by the operator'sfinger. By pressing the push button 34, as shown in FIG. 15, the linkplate 31 is rotated clockwise, and the slider 25 is slid in a directionaway from the first connector 15. Due to this, as shown in FIG. 18, thememory card 11 is slid to the inlet 10 through the tongue portion 29 ofthe slider 25, and the memory card 11 is pushed out of the inlet 10.

In the base panel 23 of the pushing mechanism 22, a pair of pressingpieces 37a and 37b extending downward is integrally formed. The pressingpieces 37a and 37b slidably contact the upper surface of the memory card11, and press the memory card 11 downward. Thereby, both sides of thememory card 11 are pushed to the lower surface of the guide groove 14,and rattle therebetween is absorbed.

As shown in FIG. 6, a square opening 38 is formed in the bottom surface3a of the base unit 2. The opening 38 corresponds to the insertionposition of the memory card 11, and the guide rails 12 and 13 arepositioned at both sides of the opening 38. As shown in FIG. 14, theguide rails 12 and 13 are notched at the position facing to the opening38, and the guide groove 14 of the respective guide rails 12 and 13 isopened to the opening 38 through a notch 39. The opening 38 is normallyclosed by a cover plate (not shown).

For expanding the function of the personal computer 1, an expansion unit40 as shown in FIG. 2 is used. The expansion unit 40 has asquare-box-shaped case 41 forming a main body thereof. The size of thecase 41 is formed to be substantially the same as that of the base unit2 of the computer 1, and divided into an upper case 42 and a lower case43. As shown in FIG. 6, in the case 41, there are contained a floppydisc driving device 44 (hereinafter called FDD) as a device forexpanding the function of the computer 1, and a printed circuit board 45adjacent to FDD 44. The printed circuit board 45 is electricallyconnected to FDD 45, and a large number of electronic parts (not shown)are mounted on the printed circuit board 45. FDD 45 has a floppy inlet44a for accessing a floppy disc. The floppy inlet 44a is exposed to afront surface 41a of the case 41.

The upper surface of the case 41 forms a flat overlaying surface 46 onwhich the base unit 2 of the computer 1 is overlaid. An attaching recess48 is formed in one end separated from the FDD 44 of the overlayingsurface 46. The attaching recess 48 is continuous to the overlayingsurface 46 of the case 41, the side surface of the case 41, the frontsurface, and the rear surface, which are continuous to the surface 46,and opened. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3, the attaching recess 48comprises a bottom surface 49a, which is integral with the upper case42, and a vertical side surface 49b continuous to the bottom surface49a. The bottom surface 49a is formed at the position, which is lowerthan the overlaying surface 46 by the height of the side surface 49b. Apair of engaging holes 50a and 50b is formed in the angular portion,which is formed by the bottom surface 49a and the side surface 49b.Also, a screw hole 51 is formed in each of the four corners of thebottom surface 49a.

In the upper case 42, a pair of contact terminals 52a and 52b isarranged. The contact terminals 52a and 52b are electrically connectedto the printed circuit board 45 via a lead line (not shown). The contactterminals 52a and 52b are exposed to the attaching recess 48 through apair of terminal holes 53a and 53b formed in the side surface 49b.

A pair of first hooks 55a and 55b are screwed to the upper case 42. Thefirst hooks 55a and 55b are projected onto the overlaying surface 46 andarranged to be spaced to each other at the end portion opposite to theattaching recess 48. As shown in FIG. 4, in a case where the base unit 2is overlaid on the overlaying surface 46, these books 55a and 55b arefitted to a pair of positioning holes 56a and 56b formed in the rightside surface 3b of the base unit 2, thereby the overlaying position ofthe base unit 2 is specified.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a connector unit 60 is detachably attached tothe attaching recess 48 of the expansion unit 40. As shown in FIG. 6,the connector unit 60 has a metallic rectangular base plate 61 and asynthetic resin-made cover 62 covering the base plate 61. The connectorunit 60 is a rectangular parallelepied having substantially the sameshape and size as those of the attaching recess 48. In a state in whichthe connector unit 60 is attached to the attaching recess 48, the uppersurface, side surface, front surface, and rear surface of the cover 62are continuous to the overlaying surface 46, side surface, frontsurface, and rear surface of the case 41 so as to be flush with eachother. Then, the cover 62 partially forms the case 41, and the uppersurface of the cover 62 forms a part of the overlaying surface 46.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, a pair of engaging projections 63a and 63bare formed in one side peripheral portion of the base plate 61. If theconnector unit 60 is attached to the attaching recess 48, the engagingprojections 63a and 63b are detachably inserted into the engaging holes50a and 50b, and the positioning of the connector unit 60 to theattaching recess 48 is set.

A synthetic resin-made connector holder 65 is slidably supported on theupper surface of the base plate 61. The supporting structure will beexplained with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 13. As shown in FIG. 13, asynthetic resin-made guide member 66 is screwed onto the upper surfaceof the base plate 61. The guide member 66 has a flat board 67, which isoverlaid on the upper surface of the base plate 61, and a pair of risewalls 68a and 68b formed to be continuous to both side peripheralportions of the board 67. The rise walls 68a and 68b are formed to beparallel with each other, and a pair of slide rails 69a and 69b areformed in the rise walls 68a and 68b. The slide rails 69a and 69b areformed to be parallel with each other and the rising height of sliderails 69a and 69b is set to be lower than those of the rise walls 68aand 68b. Then, the connector holder 65 is slidably mounted on theseslide rails 69a and 69b.

As shown in FIG. 13, the connector holder 65 has a box portion 70. Apair of leg portions 70a and 70b to be slidably mounted on the sliderails 69a and 69b is integrally formed in both side portions of thelower end of the box portion 70. Slide grooves 71a and 71b extending inparallel to the slide rails 69a and 69b are formed in the face oppositeto the rise walls 68a and 68b of the leg portions 70a and 70b,respectively. Stopping pieces 72a and 72b formed in the upper ends ofthe rise walls 68a and 68b. The stopping pieces 72a and 72b are slidablyfitted in these slide grooves 71a and 71b.

A push plate 73 extending in the direction of the slide grooves 71a and71b is formed in one end of the box portion 70. The push plate 73 iscontinuous to the leg portions 70a and 70b, and slidably mounted on theslide rails 69a and 69b. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of thebox portion 70 is passed through a square connector through hole 74,which is formed in the upper surface of the cover 62, and projected tothe outside of the connector unit 60. As shown in FIG. 9, an elongation75 extending in the direction opposite to the push plate 73 is formed inthe upper portion of the box portion 70. The elongation 75 is formed soas to be slidably fitted to the guide groove 14 of the guide rails 12and 13. A second connector 76 to be detachably connected to the firstconnector 15 is incorporated into the top end of the elongation 75. Thesecond connector 76 has a large number of pin holes 77 into which thepin terminals 16 of the first connector is inserted.

The size of the upper portion of the box portion 70 including theelongation 75 is formed to be inserted into the opening 38 of the baseunit 2. As shown in FIG. 7, if the base unit 2 is overlaid on theexpansion unit 40, the upper portion of the box portion 70 is providedbetween the guide groove 14 through the notch 39 of the guide rails 12and 13, and the second connector 76 is opposed to the first connector15.

Due to this, if the base unit 2 is overlaid on the overlaying surface 46of the expansion unit 40, the connector holder 65 is linearly slid overthe portion between the first position, which is inserted into theopening 38, and the second position where the second connector 76 isconnected to the first connector 15.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, concave portions 79a and 79b are formed inboth side surfaces of the elongation 75 of the connector holder 65. Ifthe connector holder 65 is slid to the first connector 15, the concaveportions 79a and 79b are fitted to the convex portion 20 of the finalend of the guide groove 14. Thereby, the pin terminals 16 of the firstconnector 15 and a pin holes 77 of the second connector 76 arepositioned.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the portion ranging from the elongation 75 ofthe connector holder 65 and the upper surface of the box portion 70 tothe end surface of the push plate 73 is covered with a metallic shieldplate 78. The shield plate 78 comes in contact with the pressing pieces37a and 37b of the pushing mechanism 22 (not shown).

Also, as shown in FIG. 9, a rectangular cover plate 81 is screwed to thecontinuous portion of the box portion 70 of the connector holder 65 andthe push plate 73. The cover plate 81 has a through hole 80 to which thebox portion 70 is inserted. The cover plate 81, as shown in FIG. 13,covers the space between the connector through hole 74 and the boxportion 70, and is slidably overlaid on the inner surface of the cover62.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, an elongation through hole 82 for exposingthe push plate 73 is formed in the side surface of the cover 62. If theconnector holder 65 is slid to the first position, the push plate 73 isprojected to the outside of the connector unit 60 from the through hole82. If a projection end 73a of the push plate 73 is pushed by the tip ofthe finger, the connector holder 65 is slid to the second position fromthe first position, so that the first connector 15 and the secondconnector 76 are electrically connected to each other. When the theconnector holder 65 is slid to the the second position, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 8, the end surface of the projection end 73a of the pushplate 73 is inserted into the through hole 82, and substantially flushwith the side surface of the cover 62. The push plate 73 forms theconnecting structure of the connector for sliding the connector holder65.

In the above structure, the first connector 15 to which the memory card11 is originally connected is used as a connector for connecting theexpansion unit 40. Due to this, there is provided detecting means fordetecting that the connector holder 65 is inserted into the opening 38.According to the result of the detection, the circuit structure on theprinted circuit board 8 is changed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of terminal windows 83a and 83b are formed inthe side surface of the cover 62. The terminal windows 83a and 83b arefacing to the side surface 49a of the attaching recess 48. Terminalmetal fittings 84a and 84b are provided in the terminal windows 83a and83b, respectively. The terminal metal fittings 84a and 84b areelectrically connected to the second connector 76, and exposed to theoutside of the the connector unit 60 through the terminal windows 83aand 83b. When the connector unit 60 is attached to the attaching recess48, the terminal metal fittings 84a and 84b come in contact with contactterminals 52a and 52b of the attaching recess 48, so that the secondconnector 76 and the printed circuit board 45 are electrically connectedto each other.

The connector unit 60 is fixed to the attaching recess 48 with a screw(not shown) screwed to the screw hole 51.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, in the side surface of the cover 62, aconcave 85 is formed to be adjacent to the through hole 82. When thebase unit 2 is overlaid on the overlaying surface 46, the concave 85 iscontinuous to the recess 30 of the base unit 2. Thereby, in pushing thepush button 34 of the pushing mechanism 22 is pushed by the tip of thefinger, there can be reserved a space, which is large enough to easilyinsert the tip of the finger around the push button 34.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, a pair of long and thin slide plates 90a and90b are provided in the base plate 61 of the connector unit 60. Theslide plates 90a and 90b are spaced to both end portions, which arealong the longitudinal direction of the base plate 61. Then, the slideplates 90a and 90b are slidably supported in the sliding direction ofthe connector holder 65 to the base plate 61.

The supporting structure of the slide plates 90a and 90b will beexplained. There are provided a pair of slide guides 91a and 91b, whichare made of synthetic resin, between the base plate 61 and the slideplates 90a and 90b. The slide guides 91a and 91b are formed like a longand thin plate, and cylindrical guide projections 92a and 92b areprojected to both end portions which are spaced along the longitudinaldirection. As shown in FIG. 9, the slide plates 90a and 90b have longguide holes 93a and 93b extending in the longitudinal direction of theslide plates 90a and 90b. Guide projections 92a and 92b are slidablyfitted to the guide holes 93a and 93b. Due to this, the slide plates 90aand 90b can be slid in the range of the length of the guide holes 93aand 93b.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a washer 94 is attached to each of the uppersurfaces of the guide projections 92a and 92b with a screw 95. The screw95 screws slide guides 91a and 91b to the base plate 61. The washer 94is overlaid on the opening peripheral portions of the guide holes 93aand 93b from the upper side.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the slide plates 90a and 90b have secondhooks 97a and 97b. The hooks 97a and 97b are integrally formed with theslide plates 90a and 90b by bending one end of the slide plates 90a and90b upward at an angle of 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. 2, the secondhooks 97a and 97b are passed through guiding holes 98a and 98b, whichare formed in the cover 62, and guided to the outside of the theconnector unit 60. The upper ends of the second hooks 97a and 97b areprojected to the upper surface of the cover 62, that is, the overlayingsurface 46, and positioned to be opposite to the first hooks 55a and55b. Then, when the base unit 2 is overlaid on the overlaying surface46, the second hooks 97a and 97b are opposite to a pair of fitting holes99a and 99b formed in the right side surface of the bottom case 3.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a spring seat 100 and a long hole 102 arerespectively formed in the slide plates 90a and 90b. A support 101,which is formed in the base plate 61, is passed through the long hole102. An extension coil spring 103 is stretched between the spring seat100 and the support 101. The extension coil spring 103 urges the slideplates 90a and 90b to move in the direction where the second hooks 97aand 97b are projected from the left side surface of the cover 62. Due tothis, in a state that the base unit 2 is overlaid on the overlayingsurface 46, the second hooks 97a and 97b are separated from the the baseunit 2.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connector unit 60 has a hook operationmechanism 105 for fitting the second hooks 97a and 97b to the fittingholes 99a and 99b of the base unit 2. The hook operation mechanism 105has a long and thin link 106, which is laid across the slide plates 90aand 90b. The link 106 extends in the direction, which is perpendicularto the slide plates 90a and 90b, and is placed on the base plate 61 tobe linearly slidable to this direction. The link 106 passes the board 67of the connector holder 65, and a guide wall 107 for guiding the slidingdirection of the link 106 is formed on the upper surface of the board67. A synthetic resin-made guide member 108, which is adjacent to theboard 67 and receives the link 106, is screwed to the upper surface ofthe base plate 61. The guide member 108 has a guide rail 109 for guidingthe sliding direction of the link 106. In the guide member 108 and theboard 67, there are formed a plurality of claws 114, which are slidablyhooked on the upper edge portion of the link 106 and prevents the link106 from being slid upward.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, translation cams 110a and 110b for slidingthe slide plates 90a and 90b are provided in one end of the link 106 andthe other end thereof, respectively. The translation cams 110a and 110bhas a first cam section 111, which is inclined to the sliding directionof the link 106, a second cam section 112, which is continuous to oneend of the first cam section 111 and extends in parallel to the slidingdirection of the link 106, and a third cam section 113, which iscontinuous to the other end of the first cam section 111 and extends inparallel to the sliding direction of the link 106. The second camsection 112 maintains one end of the slide plates 90a and 90b at theposition where these one end of slide plates 90a and 90b are pushed outof the connector 60. The third cam section 113 maintains one end of theslide plates 90a and 90b at the position where these one end of slideplates 90a and 90b are drawn in the connector unit 60.

The translation cams 110a and 110b contact a synthetic resin-made roller115, which is supported by the slide plates 90a and 90b. A first stopper116 is formed in one end of the link 106 having one translation cam110a. when the third cam section 113 contacts the roller 115, the firststopper 116 is hooked on the roller 115, and prevents the link 106 frombeing slid any more. A second stopper 117 is formed in the other end ofthe link 106 having the other translation cam 110b. when the second camsection 112 contacts the roller 115, the second stopper 117 is hooked onthe roller 115, and prevents the link 106 from being slid any more.

A spring seat portion 118 is formed in the link 106. An extension coilspring 120 is stretched between the spring seat portion 118 and asupport 119, which is attached on the spring plate 61. As shown in anarrow of FIG. 10, the extension coil spring 120 always urges the link106 to be moved in the direction where the second cam section 112contacts the roller 115. Therefore, the second cam section 112 of thelink 106 is always maintained to be in contact with the roller 115 ofthe slide plates 90a and 90b.

On the upper surface of the base plate 61, there is provided anoperation lever 122 for sliding the link 106. The operation lever 122extends in a direction crossing the link 106. One end of the operationlever 122 is rotatably supported on a boss 123 of the base plate 61 viaa pin 124. The other end of the operation lever 122 is rotatablyoverlaid on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the link106, and guided to the outside of the connector unit 60 through athrough hole 121, which is formed in the side surface of the cover 62. Asynthetic resin-made knob 122a is attached to the guiding end portion ofthe operation lever 122.

The operation lever 122 has a long hole 125 extending in thelongitudinal direction of the operation lever 122. The elongated hole125 is positioned at the portion crossing the link 106 of the operationlever 122. A synthetic resin-made roller 126, which is rotatably fittedto the long hole 125, is supported in the link 106. Thereby, theoperation lever 122 and the link 106 work together.

Due to this, as shown in FIG. 10, if the operation lever 122 is rotatedclockwise against urging force of the extension coil spring 120, thelink 106 is slid in the left direction. Thereby, the roller 115, whichis in contact with the second cam section 112 of the translation cams110a and 110b, is passed the first cam section 111 and mounted on thethird cam section 113, and the slide plates 90a and 90b are drawn intothe connector unit 60 in accordance with the shape of the translationcams 110a and 110b.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a latch piece 130, which maintains theconnector holder 65 at the first and second positions, is screwed to theintermediate upper surface of the operation lever 122. The latch piece130 is arranged in opposite to one side edge portion of the push plate73 of the connector holder 65. In one side edge portion of the pushplate 73, there are formed a first engaging recess 131 with which thelatch piece 130 is engaged when the connector holder 65 is slid to thefirst position, and a second engaging recess 131 with which the latchpiece 130 is engaged when the connector holder 65 is slid to the secondposition. As shown in FIG. 11, the depth of the first engaging recess131 is formed to be larger than that of the second engaging recess 132.

Due to this, as shown in FIG. 11, in a state that the latch piece 130 isengaged with the first engaging recess 131, the amount of the slide ofthe link 106 to the direction of an arrow is increased, and the secondcam section 112 contacts the roller 115 of the slide plates 90a and 90b.Then, when the expansion unit 40 is not used, the connector holder 65 ismaintained at the first position, and the push plate 73 is largelyprojected to the outside of the cover 62 from the through hole 82.

As shown in FIG. 12, in a state that the latch piece 130 is engaged withthe second engaging recess 132, the amount of the slide of the link 106is decreased, and the link 106 is maintained at the position where thethird cam section 113 is in contact with the roller 115.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the caps denoted by reference numerals 135aand 135b cover the opening portions of the guiding holes 98a and 98b.

The following will explain the steps of connecting the expansion unit 40to the personal computer 1.

In a case where the memory card 11 is contained in the base unit 2 ofthe the computer 1, the push button 34 is projected into the recess 30of the side surface of the base unit 2 as shown in FIG. 16. Due to this,in connecting the expansion unit 40 to the computer 1, the push button34 is pushed by the tip of the finger. Thereby, the slider 25 is slid tothe direction which is far away from the first connector 15 via the linkplate 31. Then, the memory card 11 is pushed to the outside from theinlet 10 via the tongue portion 29 of the slider 25. Therefore, thepressed portion is picked up, and the memory card 11 is taken out of thecomputer 1.

If the memory card 11 is finished being taken out of the computer 1, thecover plate covering the opening 38 of the base unit 2 is detached, andthe opening 38 is opened. Under this state, the computer 1 is overlaidon the overlaying surface 46 of the expansion unit 40. At this time, asshown in FIG. 4, the positioning holes 56a and 56b of the left sidesurface of the base unit 2 are hooked on the the first hooks 55a and 55bof the expansion unit 40, and the bottom plate 3a of the base unit 2 isdirectly overlaid on the overlaying surface 46. Thereby, the overlayingsurface 46 and the computer 1 are substantially positioned, and theconnector holder 65, which is projected onto the overlaying surface 46,is guided into the opening 38.

At this time, the connector holder 65 is maintained at the firstposition by engaging the latch piece 130 with the first engaging recess131 of the push plate 73. Due to this, the second connector 76 supportedby the connector holder 65 is positioned so as to be opposite to thefirst connector 15 in the opening 38.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the knob 122a is operated by the tip of thefinger, and the operation lever 122 is rotated clockwise. Thereby, thelink 106 is slid in the left side against the urging force of theextension coil spring 120, and the roller 115, which is in contact withthe second cam section 112 of the translation cams 110a and 110b, ispassed the first cam section 111 and mounted on the third cam section113. Due to this, the slide plates 90a and 90b are slid in the directionwhere the slide plates 90a and 90b are drawn into the connector unit 60,and the second hooks 97a and 97b are fitted to the fitting holes 99a and99b on the right side surface of the base unit 2. Thereby, the fourcorners of the base unit 2 are pressed by the first hooks 55a and 55band the second hooks 97a and 97b, and the computer 1 is positioned at apredetermined position on the overlaying surface 46, and maintained.

By sliding the link 106 in the left direction, the latch piece 130 isdetached from the first engaging recess 131 of the push plate 73, andthe lock of the connector holder 65 including the push plate 73 isreleased. Due to this, in a state that the operation lever 122 isoperated clockwise, the push plate 73 is pushed by the tip of thefinger, and the connector holder 65 is slid to the second position.Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the elongation 75 of the connector holder65 is guided by the guide groove 14 of the guide rails 12 and 13, andintroduced to the first connector 15. Then, the pin holes 77 of thesecond connector 76 supported by the elongation 75 is fitted to the pinterminals 16 of the first connector 15. Thereby, the first connector 15and the second connector 76 are electrically connected to each other,and the computer 1 and the extension unit 40 are electrically connectedto each other.

If the connector holder 65 is slid to the first connector 15, the tongueportion 29 of the slider 25 is hooked to the top end of the elongation75, and the slider 25 is slid together with the connector holder 65. Themovement of the slider 25 is transmitted to the push button 34 via thelink plate 31, and the push button 34 is projected onto the recess 30 ofthe base unit 2 again.

If the second connector 76 and the first connector 15 are connected toeach other, the push plate 73 is inserted into the through hole 82, andthe second engaging recess 132 of the push plate 73 are opposite to eachother as shown in FIG. 12. Due to this, if the hand is away from theknob 122a, the link 106 is slid right by the urging force of theextension coil spring 120. Then, seemingly the roller 115 of the slideplates 90a and 90b is over the first cam section 111 of the translationcams 110a and 110b and contacts the third cam section 113, and isengaged with the second engaging recess 132 of the latch piece 130. Bythis engagement, the connector holder 65 is locked at the secondposition, and the link 106 cannot be slid any more. Due to this, thesecond hooks 97a and 97b are locked in a state that they are hooked tothe base unit 2, and the connection between the computer 1 and theextension unit 40 is maintained.

In order to release the connection between the computer 1 and theextension unit 40, the knob 122a is first operated by the tip of thefinger, and the operation lever 122 is rotated clockwise. By thisrotation, the link 106 is slid left against the urging force of theextension coil spring 120, and the latch piece 130 is detached from thesecond engaging recess 132. Thereby, the lock of the connector holder 65is released. Under this state, the push button 34 is pushed into therecess 30 of the base unit 2 by the tip of the finger. Thereby, theslider 25 is slid in the direction, which is away from the the firstconnector 15, and the connector holder 65 is pushed back to the firstposition from the second position through the tongue portion 29 of theslider 25. Due to this, since the push plate 73 of the connector holder65 is pushed to the outside of the cover 62 from the through hole 82,the top end of the push plate 73 is picked up by the tip of the finger,and taken out of the connector unit 60.

By the above series of the operations, the connector holder 65 isreturned to the first position, and the connection between the firstconnector 15 and the second connector 76 is released. Then, if the handis away from the knob 122a in the course of taking out the push plate73, the latch piece 130 is engaged with the first engaging recess 131 bythe urging force of the extension coil spring 120 at the time when thefirst engaging recess 131 is opposed to the latch piece 130. By thisengagement, the connector unit 60 is locked at the first position. Thelink 106 cannot be slid any more, and the roller 115 of the slide plates90a and 90b is maintained to be in contact with the second cam section112 of the translation cams 110a and 110b. Due to this, the slide plates90a and 90b are locked to be pushed out of the connector unit 60 and thesecond hooks 97a and 97b are detached from the fitting holes 99a and 99bof the base unit 2, and the connection between the computer 1 and theexpansion unit 40 is released.

According to the above structured electronic apparatus system, after thememory card 11 is taken up from the computer 1, the computer 1 isoverlaid on the overlaying surface 46 of the expansion unit 40, and theconnector holder 65 of the expansion unit 40 is inserted into theopening 38 of the base unit 2 and slid. Thereby, the second connector 76can be connected to the first connector 15. Due to this, the firstconnector 15, which is used for the connection of the memory card 11,can be used as a connector for the connection of the expansion unit 40.As a result, there is no need of a special connector, which isconventionally necessary to connect the expansion unit 40.

Therefore, the number of the parts can be reduced, and the mountingspace in the base unit 2 can be reduced, so that the arrangement of theparts can be set without difficulty, and the size and the weight of thecomputer 1 can be reduced.

Moreover, since the first connector 15 built in the computer 1 and thesecond connector 76 of the expansion unit 40 are directly connected toeach other, there is no need of the special external wring cable, whichis conventionally required, so that the connecting working of theexpansion unit 40 can be easily performed. Furthermore, the expansionunit 40 is arranged by overlaying the computer 1 on the overlayingsurface 46. Therefore, if only the space for mounting the computer 1 isprovided, the expansion of the unit 40 can be made, and the amount ofthe space, which is necessary to extend the function of the computer 1,may be small.

Moreover, if the connector holder 60 is slid from the first position tothe second position, the first hooks 55a and 55b and the second hooks97a and 97b are hooked to the base unit 2, and the computer 1 ispositioned at a predetermined position on the overlaying surface 46. Dueto this, the positional relationship between the connector holder 60 andthe first connector 15 are made suitably, and the first connector 15 andthe second connector 76 can be positioned with accuracy.

As long as the second hooks 97a and 97b are not hooked to the base unit2, the connector holder 60 cannot be slid to the second position. Due tothis, in a state that the first and second connectors 15 and 76 are notpositioned with accuracy, the connectors 15 and 76 can be prevented frombeing fitted to each other. Therefore, even in a state that the firstconnector 15 is contained in the base unit 2 and the fitting portion ofthe first connector 15 and the second connector 76 cannot be seen fromthe outside, the connection between the connectors 15 and 76 can besurely and smoothly performed.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the expansion unit 40 isdivided into the case 41 containing the FDD 44 and the printed circuitboard 45 and the connector unit 60 containing the connector holder 65and its operation system, and the connector unit 60 is detachablyattached to the attaching recess 48 of the case 41. Due to this, if aplurality of cases 41 containing various expansion devices are preparedand the connector unit 60 is selectively attached to the case 41containing the expansion device provided to meet the object of using thedevice, one connector unit 60 can be used in common. Therefore, in acase where types of the expansion units are increased, only oneconnector unit 60 may be used and the number of cases 41 containing theexpansion units may be increased. This is very economical.

The present invention is not limited to the above-explained firstembodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope ofthe invention.

For example, according to the above first embodiment, in the case thatthe expansion unit is divided into the case and the connector unit,electrical connection between the case and the connector unit are madeby the contact between the contact terminal and the terminal metalfittings. However, the case and the connector unit may be electricallyconnected by a cable. Moreover, the expansion unit is not always dividedinto the case and the connector unit. The connector holder may beincorporated into the case as one unit.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 21 to 46.

In the second embodiment, since the basic structure of the computer 1 isthe same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals asthe first embodiment are added to the same structural parts as thesecond embodiment, and the explanation is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, the bottom case 3 of the base unit 2 hastray inlet 201a and 201b in its right and left side surfaces 3b. Thetray inlet 201a and 201b have a long and thin shape extending in thefront and back direction of the bottom case 3. The tray inlet 201a and201b are positioned to be symmetrical with the bottom surface 3a of thebottom case 3. Also, the memory card 11 is detachably contained in thebase unit 2 from the tray inlet 201a and 201b. In containing the memorycard 11, trays 202a and 202b are used. The tray 202a in left and 202b inright are incorporated into the base unit 2 in the same structure, andthe tray 202a in left will be typically explained.

As shown in FIG. 27, the tray 202a has a circularly curved end wall 203,which closes the tray inlet 201a, and a rectangular bottom wall 204,which is continuous to the end wall 203. A pair of support walls 205aand 205b are projected from both side portions of the upper surface ofthe bottom wall 204. A pair of claws 206a and 206b, which project upwardat an angle of 90 degrees, are formed in the edge portion, which isopposite to the end wall 203 of the bottom wall 204. These claws 206aand 206b, support walls 205a and 205b, and end wall 203 form a space forcontaining the memory card 11 on the bottom wall 204. As shown in FIG.26, the memory card 11 is horizontally provided on the bottom wall 204in a state that the memory card 11 is guided by claws 206a and 206b,support walls 205a and 205b, and end wall 203, and the terminal 18 isdirected to the the claws 206a and 206b. A convex portion 207 forguiding the insertion direction of the memory card 11 is formed in theright end portion of the terminal 18.

A pair of projections 208a and 208b are formed on the upper surface ofthe bottom wall 204. The projections 208a and 208b are adjacent to theclaws 206a and 206b so as to support the end portion of the terminal 18of the memory card 11. By the provision of the projections 208a and208b, the memory card 11 is maintained in a state that the memory card11 is floated from the bottom wall 204 by height of the projections 208aand 208b. The edge portion, which is opposed to the terminal 18 of thememory card 11, is engaged with the inner surface of the circularlycurved end wall 203.

The support walls 205a and 205b have concave portions 209a and 209b fortaking out the card, respectively. These concave portions 209a and 209bare adjacent to the end wall 203, and circularly and deeply notched suchthat a part of the memory card 11 provided on the bottom wall 204 isexposed. A guide rib 210, which extends in the insertion direction ofthe tray 202a, is provided in each outer surface of the support walls205a and 205b.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 46, the inner surface of the base unit 2including the bottom case 3 and the top cover 4 is covered with a firstconductive and plating shield layer 211. As shown in FIG. 26, right andleft tray insertion passages 212a and 212b, which are continuous to thetray inlet 201a and 201b, are formed in the bottom case 3. Since thetray insertion passages 212a in left and 212b in right have the samestructure, the tray insertion passage 212a in the left will be typicallyexplained. The tray insertion passage 212a has an opening 213 formed inthe bottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3. The size of the opening 213is formed to correspond to that of the bottom surface 204 of the tray202a, and continuous to the tray inlet 202a. As shown in FIGS. 26 and28, a slide rail 214 is provided in the edge portion of both sides ofthe opening 213. The slide rail 214 is formed to be slidably insertedinto a space 217 between the guide rib 210 of the tray 202a and the edgeportion of the bottom wall 204 opposite to the guide rib 210. Therefore,if the tray 202a is inserted into the tray insertion passage 212a fromthe tray inlet 201a in a state that the claws 206a and 206b are guidedas a head, the guide rail 214 is inserted into the space 217. By thisinsertion, the tray 202a is maintained at the tray insertion passage212a together with the memory card 11. In a state that the tray 202a iscompletely inserted into the tray insertion passage 212a, the end wall203 of the tray 202a closes the tray inlet 201a and the bottom wall 204closes the opening 213. Then, the end wall 203 is continuous to the sidesurface 3b of the bottom case 3 to be flush therewith, and forms thepart of the side surface 3b. The bottom wall 204 is continuous to thebottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3 to be flush therewith, and formsthe part of the bottom surface 3a.

A stopper 215 facing to the tray inlet 201a is formed in the bottom case3. The stopper 215 comes in contact with the both end portions of theend wall 203 at the time when the tray 202a is completely inserted intothe tray insertion passage 212a. By this contact, the maximum insertionposition of the tray 202a is specified. A pair of board support walls216a and 216b for supporting the printed circuit board 8 are formed onthe bottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3. The board support walls 216aand 216b are positioned at both sides of the opening 213, and used as aside wall of the tray insertion passage 212a.

A first connector 220 of insertion type is provided in the final end ofeach of the tray insertion passages 212a and 212b. The first connector220 has a plurality of first pin terminals 221, which is inserted intothe pin holes 17 of the memory card 11, and a plurality of second pinterminals 222 for expanding the function. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29,the first connector 220 is supported by the lower surface of the printedcircuit board 8. Then, when the memory card 11 is completely insertedinto the tray insertion passage 212a by the tray 202a, the firstconnector 220 is arranged at the position opposite to the terminal 18 ofthe memory card 11. Then, by this insertion of the tray 202a, the firstpin terminals 221 are fitted to the pin holes 17 of the terminal 18, sothat the memory card 11 and the computer 1 are electrically connected toeach other.

As shown in FIG. 26, the first connector 220 has a pair of reliefconcave portions 223a and 223b in the surface opposite to the tray 202a.The claw portions 206a and 206b of the tray 202a are introduced into therelief concave portions 223a and 223b at the time when the tray 202a iscompletely inserted into the tray insertion passage 212a. An engagingconcave portion 224 is formed in the right end portion of the firstconnector 220. The convex portion 207 of the memory card 11 isdetachably engaged with the engaging concave portion 224 at the timewhen the memory card 11 is completely inserted into the tray insertionpassage 212a. By this engagement, the first pin terminals 221 of thefirst connector 220 and the pin holes 17 of the memory card 11 arepositioned.

As shown in FIG. 26, in the base unit 2, there is contained a pushingmechanism 228 for pushing the inserted memory card 11 to the outside.The pushing mechanism 228 is positioned at the portion between the finalends of the right and left tray insertion passages 212a and 212b andarranged in a space 229 generated between the first connector 220 andthe bottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3 as shown in FIG. 34. Thepushing mechanism 228, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, has a slide plate230, which is arranged on the bottom surface 3a of the bottom case 3,and a rotation plate 231 overlaid on the upper surface of the slideplate 230. The rotation plate 231 is long-and-thin-belt-shaped, andextends in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the memorycard 11. The rotation plate 231 has a seat portion 231a, which is bentto be projected downward against its intermediate portion. Projections232a and 232b projecting outside are formed in both side edge portionsof the seat portion 231a, and the seat portion 231a is overlaid on theupper surface of the slide plate 230.

One end of the rotation plate 231 is rotatably supported on the bottomsurface 3a of the bottom case 3 through a shaft 233. The other end ofthe rotation plate 231 is close to the inner side of the front surfaceof the bottom case 3, and a pair of engaging pieces 234a and 234b, whichis bent upward, is formed in the other end. An operation lever 235 iscoupled to the portion between the engaging pieces 234a and 234b. Anoperation member 236 for hooking the tip of the finger is attached tothe top end of the operation lever 235. The operation member 236 ispassed through a slit 237 formed in the front surface of the bottom case3 and guided to the outside of the bottom case 3. Moreover, a mountingrecess 238, which extends right and left, is formed in the front surfaceof the bottom case 3, and the operation member 236 is slidably arrangedin the mounting recess 238. Due to this, if the operation member 238 isslid right and left by the tip of the finger, the rotation plate 231 isrotated right and left in a state that the shaft 233 is used as afulcrum.

As shown in FIG. 36, the slide plate 230 is formed rectangular. Thelength of one side of the slide plate 230, which is along thelongitudinal direction, is set to be substantially equal to the size ofthe width of the tray insertion passage 212a. A pair of guide rails 240aand 240b is provided on the bottom surface 3a on which the slide plate230 is overlaid. The guide rails 240a and 240b extends in the directionwhere the tray 202a is inserted, and the slide plate 230 is positionedat the portion between these guide rails 240a and 240b. Therefore, theslide plate 230 is slidably maintained by the guide rails 240a and 240bin the direction where the tray 202a is inserted. Coupling pieces 241aand 241b are formed in both side edge portions of the slide plate 230.The coupling pieces 241a and 241b sandwich the projections 232a and 232bof the seat portion 231a of the rotation plate 231 between thesecoupling pieces 241a and 241b and the slide plate 230. Then, the sharptop ends of the projections 231a and 232b contact the coupling pieces241a and 241b. Thereby, the slide plate 230 and the rotation plate 231are movably connected to each other in a state that the top ends of thecoupling pieces 241a and 241b are used as fulcrums. Therefore, if therotation plate 231 is rotated right and left through the operationmember 236, the slide plate 230 is guided by the guide rails 240a and240b, and linearly slid.

As shown in FIG. 35, the slide plate 230 has a pair of pressing pieces243a and 243b in its both side edge portions. As shown in FIG. 31, thepressing pieces 243a and 243b extend upward, and enter the reliefconcave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector 220. In the reliefconcave portions 223a and 223b, the pressing pieces 243a and 243b areopposite to the claws 206a and 206b each other. Due to this, if theoperation member 236 is slid left, the slide plate 230 is slid throughthe rotation plate 231, and the pressing pieces 243a and 243b in theleft side edge portion of the slide plate 230 are projected to the trayinsertion passage 212a in the left from the relief concave portions 223aand 223b of the first connector 220 in the left as shown in FIG. 32.Conversely, if the operation member 236 is slid right, the pressingpieces 243a and 243b in the right side edge portion of the slide plate230 are projected to the tray insertion passage 212b in the right fromthe relief concave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector 220 inthe right.

As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, a pulley-shaped spring seat 244 is securedto the upper end portion of the shaft 233. A torsion coil spring 245 isattached to the spring seat 244 so as to maintain the rotation plate 231at the neutral position. The torsion coil spring 245 has a coil portion246 wound around the spring seat 244 and a pair of leg portions 247a and247b extending from both ends of the coil portion 246. The top ends ofthe leg portions 247a and 247b are engaged with the coupling pieces 241aand 241b of the rotation plate 231. By this engagement, the slide plate230 and the rotation plate 231 are elastically maintained between theright and left tray insertion passages 212a and 212b, and the pressingpieces 243a and 243b of the slide plate 230 are positioned in the reliefconcave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector 220. Due to this,after the operation member 236 is slid, the operator's hand is detachedfrom the operation member 236, the slide plate 230 and the rotationplate 231 are returned to the neutral position by elasticity of thetorsion coil spring 245, and the pressing pieces 243a and 243b are drawnto the relief concave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector 220.

On the other hand, for expanding the function of the computer 1, anexpansion unit 250 as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 and 37 are used. Theexpansion unit 250 has a synthetic resin-made case 251. The case 251 hasthe same size as the computer 1, and is shaped flat and rectangular. Inthe case 251, the floppy disc driving device 44 (FDD) and a printedcircuit board 253 are provided. The printed circuit board 253 iselectrically connected to the FDD 44, and electronic parts formingvarious circuits such as a power supply circuit are mounted on theprinted circuit board 253. FDD 44 has the floppy insertion inlet 44a foraccessing the floppy disc. The floppy inlet 44a is exposed to the rightside portion of the front surface of the case 251. As shown in FIGS. 41and 46, the inner surface of the case 251 is covered with a secondconductive and plating shield layer 254.

A flat mounting surface 256 on which the computer 1 is overlaid isformed on the upper surface of the case 251. A long and thin attachingrecess 257 is formed in the right end portion of the flat mountingsurface 256. The attaching recess 257 is formed over the full length ofthe front and back of the mounting surface 256, and opened to becontinuous to the left side surface of the case 251, the front and backsurfaces of the case 251. In other words, as shown in FIG. 21, theattaching recess 257 has a bottom surface 257a and a vertical sidesurface 257b, which is continuous to the bottom surface 257a and themounting surface 256. The bottom surface 257a is formed at the positionwhich is lower than the mounting surface 256 by the height of the sidesurface 257b. Then, the attaching recess 257 corresponds to the trayinlet 201a in the left of the computer 1 and the opening 213 at the timewhen the computer 1 is overlaid on the mounting surface 256.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the mounting surface 256 has a squareconcave portion 258. The concave portion 258 is opposite to the opening213 of the base unit 2 at the time when the computer 1 is overlaid onthe mounting surface 256. The concave portion 258 and the opening 213are formed to have substantially the same size. The concave portion 258has a communication hole 259, which is formed in the side surface 257bof the attaching recess 257, and a cable insertion hole 260, which iscontinuous to the inside of the case 251. A pair of guide grooves 261aand 261b, which is opposite to each other, is formed in the end portionof the opening of the communication hole 259 formed in the side surface257b. The guide grooves 261a and 261b are formed to be parallel with themounting surface 256, and extend right and left of the mounting surface256. The cable insertion hole 260 is formed in the bottom surface of theconcave portion 258. A sheet-metallic frame 262 is attached to the edgeportion of the opening of the cable insertion hole 260. The frame 262comes in contact with the second shield layer 254 of the case 251, andis electrically connected thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, a connector unit 265 for electricallyconnecting the computer 1 to the expansion unit 250 is mounted to theattaching recess 257. The connector unit 265 has a synthetic resin-madeslider 266. The slider 266 is long and thin box-shaped to havesubstantially the same shape and size as the attaching recess 257. Then,the slider 266 is attached to the attaching recess 257 to be movableright and left. As shown in FIG. 46, the inner surface of the slider 266is covered with a third conductive and plating shield layer 267. Asshown in FIG. 37, in a state that the connector unit 265 is attached tothe attaching recess 257, the upper surface, side surface, frontsurface, and back surface of the slider 266 are continuous to themounting surface 256, the side surface, front surface, and back surfaceof the case 251 to be flush therewith. The slider 266 forms a part ofthe case 251. Therefore, the upper surface of the slider 266 forms apart of the mounting surface 256. Additionally, a plurality ofprojections 266a for hooking the tip of the finger are formed in bothend portions of the slider 266.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the slider 266 has a synthetic resin-madeterminal holder 268. The terminal holder 268 is box-shaped to bedetachable from both the tray insertion passage 212a of the computer 1and the concave portion 258 of the mounting surface 256. One end of theterminal holder 268 is projected on the mounting surface 256. As shownin FIG. 40, the terminal holder 268 has a holder body 270 fixed to theupper surface of the slider 266 by a screw 269. The holder body 270 issquare box-shaped and has an opening 271 on its upper surface. A pair ofbosses 270a and 270b are projected on the bottom surface of the holderbody 270. The opening 271 of the holder body 270 is closed by a cover272. A shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the cover 272 has a pair of screwreceiving portions 272a and 272b projecting to the back of the cover272. The screw receiving portions 272a and 272b are opposite to thebosses 270a and 270b of the holder body 270. A screw 276 is insertedinto each of the screw receiving portions 272a and 272b. The screws 276are screwed to the bosses 270a and 270b. Thereby, the cover 272 is fixedto the holder body 270. Then, as shown in FIG. 41, the inner surface ofthe holder body 270 including the bosses 270a and 270b is covered with afourth conductive and plating shield layer 273.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, a pair of first guide rails 274a and 274band a pair of second guide rails 275a and 275b are provided in both sidesurfaces of the holder body 270. The first guide rails 274a and 274bslidably comes in contact with the lower surface of the slide rail 214of the computer 1 when the computer 1 is overlaid on the mountingsurface 256. The second slide rails 275a and 275b detachably enter theguide grooves 261a and 261b of the expansion unit 250. Thereby, if theslider 266 is slid to the side surface 257b on the attaching recess 257,the terminal holder 268 is inserted into both the concave portion 258 onthe mounting surface 256 and the tray insertion passage 212a of thecomputer 1, which is overlaid on the mounting surface 256, as shown inFIG. 38.

As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, a contact support 277 is projected to theback surface of the cover 272. The contact support 277 is passed througha through hole 278 formed in the bottom surface of the holder body 270,and projected to the lower portion of the terminal holder 268. The lowerend portion of the contact support 277 is passed through the cableinsertion hole 260, and projected to the inside of the case 251 of theexpansion unit 250. A metal fitting 279 is attached to the lower endportion of the contact support 277. The metal fitting 279 slidably comesin contact with the frame 262 of the cable insertion hole 260. By thiscontact, the case 251 of the expansion unit 250 and the connector unit265 are electrically connected to each other. In other words, as shownin FIGS. 41 and 42, the metal fitting 279 has an elongation 280. Theelongation 280 is provided between the bosses 270a and 270b and thescrew receiving portions 272a and 272b, and comes in contact with thefourth shield layer 273 covering the bosses 270a and 270b. That is, thesecond shield layer 254 of the case 251 is electrically connected to thethird shield layer 265 of the inner surface of the slider 266 throughthe frame 262, contact fitting 279, fourth shield layer 273 of theholder body 270, and screw 269 fixing the holder body 270 to the slider266.

As shown in FIG. 40, the terminal holder 268 has a connector attachingrecess 282 in its one end projected to the mounting surface 256. Aterminal base 283 is attached to the connector attaching recess 282. Asecond connector 284 is attached to the second connector 284. The secondconnector 284, which is an insertion type, is detachably connected tothe first connector 220, and has a number of contacts 285 where thesecond pin terminals 222 of the first connector 220 contacts. The secondconnector 284 is supported in a state that the second connector 284 isslightly projected from the terminal base 283. Due to this, if theterminal holder 268 is inserted into the opening 213 of the computer 1,the second connector 284 and the first connector 220 are opposite toeach other in the tray insertion passage 212a. Under this state, if theslider 266 is slid to the first connector 220, the first connector 220and the second connector 284 are detachably connected to each other. Aconvex portion 287 is formed in the right end portion of the secondconnector 284. The convex portion 287 is detachably engaged with theengaging concave portion 224 of the first connector 220 when theterminal holder 268 is slid to the first connector 220 in the trayinsertion passage 212a. By this engagement, the second pin terminals 222of the first connector 220 and the contacts 285 of the second connector284 are positioned.

As shown in FIG. 40, a first engaging projection 288 and a secondengaging projection 289 are formed in the lower surface of the terminalbase 283. The first engaging projection 288 is inserted into an engaginghole 290 formed in the front surface of the holder body 270. There isprovided gap in up and down direction between the engaging projection288 and the engaging hole 290. As shown in FIG. 44, the second engagingprojection 289 has an engaging groove 291 formed downward. A thirdengaging projection 292 is formed in the bottom surface of the holderbody 270 facing to the engaging projection 289. The third engagingprojection 292 is engaged with the engaging groove 291. There isprovided gap in up and down direction in the engaging portion betweenthe engaging projection 292 and the engaging groove 291. Moreover, apair of stopper walls 294a and 294b are formed in the lower surface ofthe terminal base 283. The stopper walls 294a and 294b are positioned atboth sides sandwiching the second engaging projection 289 therebetween.The stopper walls 294a and 294b enter the inside of the connectorattaching recess 282, and positions the terminal base 283 against theholder body 270. Due to this, the terminal base 283 is supported to bemovable to the holder body 270 only in the upper and lower direction bythe engagement between the first engaging projection 288 and theengaging hole 290 and the engagement between the second engagingprojection 289 and the third engaging projection 292.

A pair of coil springs 295a and 295b is provided between the lowersurface of the terminal base 283 and the bottom surface of the holderbody 270. The coil springs 295a and 295b are supported by a pair ofsupport projections 296a and 296b projected to the lower surface of theterminal base 283. These coil springs 295a and 295b always urges theterminal base 283 to move upward. Thereby, the terminal base 283 issupported to be floated in the holder body 270, so that the shift, whichis generated when the second connector 284 is connected to the firstconnector 220, can be absorbed. Moreover, a connector cover 297 isattached to the upper end of the terminal base 283. The connector cover297 sandwiches the second connector 284 between the terminal base 283and the cover 297, and is continuous to the cover 272 of the terminalholder 268 to be flush therewith.

A flexible cable 300 is connected to the second connector 284. As shownin FIGS. 39 and 41, the cable 300 is passed through the through hole 278of the holder body 270, the cable insertion hole 260 of the expansionunit 250, and guided to the inside of the case 251. The cable 300 has athird connector 301 its top end. The third connector 301 is electricallyconnected to a terminal 303 of the printed circuit board 253.

As shown in FIG. 46, the expansion unit 250 has a fixing mechanism 310for overlaying the computer 1 on a predetermined position on themounting surface 256 and fixing thereto. The fixing mechanism 310 has apair of first fixing claws 311a and 311b arranged in the right sidesurface of the case 251 and a pair of second fixing claws 312a and 312barranged in the left side surface of the slider 266. These fixing claws311a, 311b, 312a, and 312b are formed of conductive metallic material.As shown in FIG. 46, one end of each of the first fixing claws 311a and311b are inserted into the case 251, and screwed to the inner surface ofthe case 251. Thereby, the first fixing claws 311a and 311b comes incontact with the second shield layer 254 covering the inner surface ofthe case 251. The other end of each of the first fixing claws 311a and311b are guided to the portion, which is upper than the mounting surface256, and curved at an angle of 90 degrees so as to extend onto themounting surface 256. One end of each of the second fixing claws 312aand 312b are inserted into the slider 266, and screwed to the innersurface of the slider 266. Thereby, the second fixing claws 312a and312b comes in contact with the third shield layer 267 covering the innersurface of the slider 266. The other end of each of the second fixingclaws 312a and 312b are guided to the portion, which is upper than theupper surface of the slider 266, and curved at an angle of 90 degrees soas to extend onto the upper surface. Therefore, these four fixing claws311a, 311b, 312a, 312b are positioned at four corners of the mountingsurface 256. The first fixing claws 311a and 311b are fitted to a pairof first positioning holes 313a and 313b formed in the right sidesurface of the base unit 2, and the second fixing claws 312a and 312bare fitted to a pair of second positioning holes 314a and 314b formed inthe left side surface of the base unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 46, a pair of first leaf springs 315 (only one leafspring 315 is shown in the drawing) and a pair of second leaf springs316 (only one leaf spring 316 is shown in the drawing) are contained inthe base unit 2. These leaf springs 315 and 316 are formed of conductivemetallic material, and come in contact with the first shield layer 211covering the inner surface of the base unit 2. The first leaf springs315 are arranged at the position corresponding to the first positioningholes 313a and 313b when the first fixing claws 311a and 311b areinserted into the first positioning holes 313a and 313b, the first leafsprings 315 come in contact with the tip of the fixing claws 311a and311b. The second leaf springs 316 are arranged at the positioncorresponding to the second positioning holes 314a and 314b. When thesecond fixing claws 312a and 312b are inserted into the secondpositioning holes 314a and 314b, the second leaf springs 316 come incontact with the tip of the fixing claws 312a and 312b. Due to this, ifthe fixing claws 311a, 311b, 312a, and 312b are inserted into thepositioning holes 313a, 313b, 314a, and 314b, respectively, the firstshield layer 211 of the computer 1, the second shield layer 254 and thethird shield layer 267 of the expansion unit 250 are electricallyconnected to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 41, the case 251 of the expansion unit 250 hasan inlet 320, which is similar to the tray inlet 201a of the computer 1,an insertion passage 321, which is similar to the tray insertion passage212a, and positioning holes 313a, 313b, 314a, and 314b similar to thecomputer 1. An expansion connector 323 has a number of pin terminals 322are provided in the final end of the insertion passage 321. Theconnector 323 is supported by the lower surface of the printed circuitboard 253. The inlet 320 is detachably covered with a cover 324, whichis similar to the tray 202a of the computer 1. As shown in a two-dottedchain line of FIG. 22, an expansion units 330, which is to be connectedto the expansion unit 250, has a connection mechanism including themounting surface and the connector similar to the expansion unit 250.Due to this, for further expanding the function of the computer 1, asshown in FIG. 22, the expansion units 250 and 330 are overlaid in doubleor more stages and connected to each other.

The steps for using the personal computer 1 and the step for connectingthe expansion unit 250 to the computer 1 will be explained.

In a case where the memory card 11 is incorporated into the computer 1,the tip of the finger is hooked to the end wall 203 of the tray 202a,and the tray 202a is drawn, and detached from the base unit 2.

As detaching the tray 202a, the memory card 11 is mounted on the spaceformed in the bottom wall 204 of the tray 202a. In this operation, thetray 202a is moved to the location where the operation can be easilymade, and the memory card 11 is horizontally mounted on the bottom wall204. In this case, the terminal 18 is directed to the claw portions 206aand 206b opposite to the end wall 203, and the terminal 18 is positionedat the top end of the insertion direction of the tray 202a. The memorycard 11 may be mounted in the space on the bottom wall 204 in a statethat the tray 202a is drawn from the tray inlet 201a without detachingfrom the base unit 2.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the tray 202a is inserted into thetray inlet 201a in a state the claw portions 206a and 206b are guided asa head, so that the slide rail rail 214 is guided to the the space 217between the guide rib 210 of the tray 202a and the edge portion of thebottom wall 204. Under this state, the tray 202a is pressed into thetray insertion passage 212a. As a result, the tray 202a is inserted intothe tray insertion passage 212a with the memory card 11 along the sliderail 214, thereafter, the convex portion 207 of the memory card 11 isengaged with the engaging concave portion 224 of the first connector220.

By this engagement, the pin holes 17 of the terminal 18 and the firstpin terminals 221 of the first connector 220 are positioned, and the pinholes 17 of the terminal 18 are inserted into the first pin terminals221 as shown in FIG. 30. In this case, as shown in FIG. 31, the clawportions 206a and 206b of the top end of the tray 202a are introducedinto the relief concave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector220. In accordance with the insertion of the tray 202a, if the end wall203 of the tray 202a comes in contact with the stopper 215, the tray202a is inserted up to the predetermined position of the tray insertionpassage 212a, and the first pin terminals 221 are completely fitted tothe pin holes 17. Thereby, the memory card 11 and the computer 1 areelectrically connected to each other, the incorporation of the memorycard 11 into the computer 1 is finished. Then, at the same time withthis connection, the end wall 203 of the tray 202a is continuous to theside surface 3b of the base unit 2 to be flush therewith, and the trayinlet 201a is closed. Moreover, the bottom wall 204 of the tray 202a iscontinuous to the bottom surface 3a of the base unit 2 to be flushtherewith, and the opening 213 is closed.

For detaching the memory card 11 from the computer 1, the operationmember 236, which is exposed to the front surface of the base unit 2, isslid left by the tip of the finger. Thereby, the rotation plate 231 isrotated left in a state that the shaft 233 is used as a fulcrum. As aresult, the slide plate 230 on which the rotation plate 231 is overlaidare movably connected to each other by that the coupling pieces 241a and241b come in contact with the projections 232a and the 232b. Due tothis, the slide plate 230 is slid left in accordance with the rotationof the rotation plate 231 as being guided by the guide rails 240a and240b.

As shown in FIG. 32, the pressing pieces 243a and 243b of the slideplate 230 are projected to the tray insertion passage 212a from therelief concave portions 223a and 223b of the first connector 220, andthe claw portions 206a and 206b of the tray 202a are pressed. Therefore,the tray 202a is pressed out in a direction where the tray 202a is awayfrom the first connector 20, and the pin holes 17 of the memory card 11are detached from the first pin terminals 221, and the end wall 203 ofthe tray 202a is pressed to the outside of the base unit 2 from the trayinlet 201a. Then, the tip of the finger is hooked to the end wall 203,and the tray 202a is largely drawn from the tray inlet 201a. Under thisstate, the tip of the finger is inserted into the the concave portions209a and 209b, and the memory card 11 is taken out of the tray 202a.

Next, the step for connecting the expansion unit 250 to the computer 1will be explained.

FIG. 21 shows the state just before the computer 1 is mounted on theexpansion unit 250. Under this state, in the computer 1, the displayunit 7 is closed and the entire body of the computer is flat andbox-shaped. Also, the tray 202a in left is detached, and the tray inlet201a and the opening 213 are opened.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 41, in the expansion unit 250, the connectorunit 265 is slid in advance in a left direction where the connector unit265 is detached from the concave portion 258 on the attaching recess257, and drawn to the side portion of the case 251.

Under this state, the computer 1 is overlaid on the the mounting surface256 of the expansion unit 250. At this time, as shown in FIG. 45, thecomputer 1 is guided onto the mounting surface 256 as being inclined,and the first positioning holes 313a and 313b in the right side surfaceof the base unit 2 are hooked to the first fixing claws 311a and 311b.Then, the computer 1 is rotated downward in a state that the engagementbetween the first positioning holes 313a and 313b and the first fixingclaws 311a and 311b are used as a fulcrum, and the base unit 2 isoverlaid on the mounting surface 256. Thereby, the mounting surface 256and the computer 1 are roughly positioned, and the terminal holder 268of the connector unit 265, which is projected onto the mounting surface256, is inserted into the tray inlet 201a of the computer 1 and theopening 213 as shown in FIG. 41.

Under this state, as shown in an arrow of FIG. 41, the slider 266 of theconnector unit 256 is slid to the side surface 256b of the attachingrecess 257, and the terminal holder 268 is pushed into the trayinsertion passage 212a. If the terminal holder 268 reaches up to theposition close to the first connector 220, the first guide rails 274aand 274b of the upper portion of the terminal holder 268 slidably comein contact with the lower surface of the slide rail 214 facing the trayinlet 201a. At the same time, the second guide rails 275a and 275b ofthe lower portion of the terminal holder 268 are slidably fitted to thethe guide grooves 261a and 261b of the expansion unit 250. That is, theconnector unit 265 is slid in a state that both computer 1 and expansionunit 250 are used as a guide. Then, the computer 1 and the expansionunit 250 are coupled to each other through the terminal holder 268 ofthe connector unit 265.

By the slide of the connector unit 265, if the second connector 284reaches just before the first connector 220, the convex portion 287 ofthe second connector 284 is engaged with the engaging concave portion224 of the first connector 220. By this engagement, the contacts 285 ofthe second connector and the pin terminals 222 of the first connector220 are positioned, and the second pin terminals 222 are fitted to thecontacts 285 as shown in FIG. 42. At substantially the same time withthis fitting, as shown in FIG. 46, the second fixing claws 312a and 312bof the slider 266 are hooked to the second positioning holes 314a and314b of the base unit 2. Due to this, the four corners of the base unit2 are held by the first fixing claws 311a and 311b and second fixingclaws 312a and 312b, so that the computer 1 is positioned at thepredetermined position on the mounting surface 256.

If the end portion of the terminal holder 268 comes in contact with thestopper 215 in accordance with the slide of the connector unit 265, theterminal holder 268 is inserted up to the predetermined position of thetray insertion passage 212a, and the contacts 285 is completely fittedto the second pin terminals 222. By this fitting, the expansion unit 250and the computer 1 are electrically connected to each other, and theconnection of the expansion unit 250 to the computer 1 is finished.Then, at the same time with this connection, the end portion of theterminal holder 268 is continuous to the side surface 3b of the baseunit 2 to be flush therewith, and the tray inlet 201a is closed.

The first fixing claws 311a and 311b are in contact with the secondshield layer 254 of the case 251, and the second fixing claws 312a and312b are in contact with the third shield layer 267 of the slider 266.The leaf springs 315 and 316 with which the top ends of the fixing claws311a, 311b, 312a, and 312b are contact are brought into contact with thefirst shield layer 211 of the base unit 2. Due to this, at the time whenthe computer 1 is positioned on the mounting surface 256 through thefixing claws 311a, 311b, 312b, and 312b, the first shield layer 211,second shield layer 256, and the third shield layer 267 are electricallyconnected to each other and leakage of the electromagnetic waves can beprevented.

As shown in FIG. 22, for further connecting the other expansion unit 330to the expansion unit 250 on which the computer 1 is overlaid, the cover324 of the expansion unit 250 is detached, and the inlet 320 and theinsertion passage 321 are opened. Under this state, the expansion unit250 is overlaid on the other expansion unit 330. Then, the connectorunit 265 of the expansion unit 330 may be inserted into the insertionpassage 321 in the same steps as the above.

In order to release the connection between the computer 1 and theexpansion unit 250, the tip of the finger is hooked to the projections266a of both end portions of the slider 266, and the slider 266 is slidin a direction where the slider 266 is drawn from the attaching recess257 as shown in an arrow of FIG. 42. By this slide, the contacts 285 ofthe second connector 284 are detached from the second pin terminals 222of the first connector 220, and the convex portion 287 of the secondconnector 284 is detached from the engaging concave portion 224 of thefirst connector 220. Sequentially, the first guide rails 274a and 274bof the terminal holder 268 is detached from the slide rail 214 of thetray insertion passage 212a, and the second guide rails 275a and 275bare detached from the guide grooves 261a and 261b of the expansion unit250. Thereby, the connection between the computer 1 and the expansionunit 250 by the terminal holder 268 are released.

Moreover, by the side of the slider 266, the second fixing claws 312aand 312b are detached from the second positioning holes 314a and 314b,so that the positioning of the left end portion of the computer 1 andthe mounting surface 256 is released. Under this state, the left endportion of the computer 1 rises, and the computer 1 is drawn left.Thereby, the first positioning holes 313a and 313b are detached from thefirst fixing claws 311a and 311b, and the connection between thecomputer 1 and the expansion unit 250 is released.

According to the above-structured electronic apparatus system, the firstconnector 220 for connecting the memory card 11 to the computer 1 can beused as a connector for the expansion unit 250. Therefore, there is noneed of a dedicated connector for the expansion unit 250, the number ofthe parts can be reduced, and the size and the weight of the computer 1can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the above structure, the slidable connector unit265 is provided on the mounting surface 256 of the expansion unit 250,and the connector unit 256 is inserted into the tray insertion passage212a of the computer 1. Thereby, the second connector 284 of theconnector unit 256 is connected to the first connector 220 in the trayinsertion passage 212a. Therefore, the computer 1 can be connected tothe expansion unit 250 without using the external connection cable.Moreover, only if the mounting space for the computer 1 is provided, theconnection of the expansion unit 250 to the computer 1 can be made, andthe mounting space, which is necessary for expanding the function of thecomputer 1, can be set to a minimum. Furthermore, the first connector220 has the first pin terminals 221 to which the terminal 18 of thememory card 11 is connected and the second pin terminals 222 to whichthe second connector 284 of the expansion unit 250 is connected. Due tothis, one connector 220 can be connected to both the terminal 18 of thememory card 11 whose number of pins is different and the secondconnector 284. Therefore, the circuit change between the memory card 11and the expansion unit 250 can be performed without using the changingstructure of the circuit.

Furthermore, the first connector 220 and the second connector 284 areconnected to each other in a state that the computer 1 is positioned atthe fixed position on the mounting surface 256 by the first fixing claws311a, 311b, and the second fixing claws 312a and 312b. Therefore, theconnection between the expansion unit 250 to the computer 1 can besmoothly made without applying excessive force to the connecting portionbetween the connectors 220 and 284. Moreover, the slider 266 of theconnector unit 265 is drawn, so that the the connector unit 265 can bedetached from the computer 1, and no dedicated detaching mechanism isneeded.

The present invention invention is not limited to the above secondembodiment various modifications can be worked within the scope of theinvention.

In the second embodiment, the expansion unit is connected to thecomputer into which the memory card can be incorporated. However, forexample, it is possible to connect the expansion unit to a computerhaving a card containing section in which an interface card interfacingto the external input device, and a connector, which can connect aterminal of the interface card to the card containing section.

Moreover, the expansion device is not limited to FDD. For example, amodem device, which is connected to a telephone line, may be used.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details, representative devices, andillustrated examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus system comprising:anelectronic apparatus unit having a card insertion section into which acard-like electronic part having a terminal is accessibly inserted in aninsertion direction, and a first connector, provided in said cardinsertion section, and detachably connected to said terminal; whereinsaid electronic apparatus unit comprises a bottom surface and a sidesurface, said card insertion section has an inlet, which is formed insaid side surface, into which said card-like electronic part isdetachably inserted and an opening formed in said bottom surface tocorrespond to the insertion position of said card-like electronic part,and said first connector is arranged in said opening; an expansion unitcontaining an expansion device for expanding the function of theelectronic apparatus unit; and a second connector provided as part ofsaid expansion unit, said second connector is accessibly inserted intosaid card insertion section through the opening in the bottom surface ofsaid electronic apparatus unit when said card-like electronic part isremoved and connected to said first connector at the time of theinsertion of the second connector into the insertion section, so thatsaid electronic apparatus unit and the expansion unit are electricallyconnected to each other.
 2. The system according to claim 1, whereinsaid bottom and side surfaces of said electronic apparatus unit comprisea part of a base unit having an input device and said card insertionsection, and a display unit having a flat panel display rotatablycoupled to said base unit, and said display unit is rotatable over aportion between a closed position where said input device is covered andan open position where said input device can be operated while viewingsaid display.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidelectronic apparatus unit further comprises a pushing mechanism forpushing said inserted card-like electronic part or second connectoroutside of said inlet, and said pushing mechanism has a slider slidablein the insertion direction of the card-like electronic part and anoperation member, projected to the outside of the electronic apparatusunit to be operated by a tip of an operator's finger, for sliding saidslider, and said slider has a pair of pressing pieces, which are hookedto said terminal of the card-like electronic part or said secondconnector, and for detaching said terminal or second connector from saidfirst connector.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidexpansion unit comprises an overlaying surface on which the bottomsurface of said electronic apparatus unit is overlaid.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 4, wherein said expansion unit comprises a case inwhich the expansion device is contained and a connector unit having thesecond connector, and the connector unit is detachably attached to saidcase.
 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said case comprises anupper surface forming the overlaying surface, and said upper surface hasan attaching recess to which the connector unit is detachably attached,and said connector unit is continuous to the upper surface of the caseto be flush therewith at the time when the connector unit is attached tothe attaching recess, and has an upper surface forming a part of saidoverlaying surface.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein saidattaching recess has a bottom surface on which the connector unit isoverlaid, a side surface continuous to the bottom surface, and a contactterminal electrically connected to the expansion device in the sidesurface, said case has a side surface opposite to the side surface ofthe attaching recess, a terminal metallic fitting electrically connectedto the second connector in the side surface, and when the connector unitis attached to the attaching recess, said terminal metallic fittingcomes in contact with a contact terminal and electrically connects theexpansion device to the second connector.
 8. The system according toclaim 5, wherein said case and connector unit comprise positioning meansfor positioning the connector unit at the attaching recess, and saidpositioning means comprises first engaging means provided in theconnector unit and second engaging means provided in said attachingrecess to be engaged with said first engaging means.
 9. The systemaccording to claim 5, wherein said connector unit comprises a connectorholder projecting through the overlaying surface, and said connectorholder has an end surface entering the opening and being opposite tosaid first connector when the electronic apparatus unit is overlaid onthe overlaying surface, and the second connector is attached to the endsurface.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said connectorholder is held by said connector unit to be movable over a portionbetween a first position where the second connector is separated fromthe first connector in the opening and a second position where thesecond connector contacts the first connector in the opening.
 11. Thesystem according to claim 10, wherein said connector unit furthercomprises an operation mechanism for moving the connector holder to thesecond position from the first position, and the operation mechanism hasa pressing portion projected to the outside of the connector unit. 12.The system according to claim 10, wherein said expansion unit furthercomprises a maintaining mechanism for maintaining the electronicapparatus unit at a fixed position on the overlaying surface, saidmaintaining mechanism has a pair of first hooks provided in the case ofthe expansion unit and a pair of second hooks provided in the connectorunit, and these first and second hooks are opposite to each other on theoverlaying surface and detachably engaged with the electronic apparatusunit.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said second hooksare provided in said connector unit to be movable over a portion betweenan engaging position where said second hooks are engaged with theelectronic apparatus unit and a detaching position where said secondhooks are detached from the electronic apparatus unit, and saidconnector unit has a hook operation mechanism for moving the secondhooks between the engaging position and the detaching position.
 14. Thesystem according to claim 13, wherein said hook operation mechanismcomprises a pair of slide plates each having the second hooks, a linkmember stretching between the slide plates and linearly slidable in adirection crossing the slide plates, an operation lever sliding the linkmember, and said link member includes two ends crossing the slideplates, and each of these two ends has a cam for sliding these slideplates by slidably connecting these ends to the slide plates.
 15. Thesystem according to claim 14, wherein said connector unit comprises abase plate positioned on the overlaying surface, and said hook operationmechanism is arranged on said base plate.
 16. The system according toclaim 14, wherein each of said slide plates has a roller contacting oneof the cams, respectively.
 17. The system according to claim 14, whereinsaid link member has a first stopper hooked to one of the slide plateswhen said second hook is moved to the engaging position, and a secondstopper hooked to the other slide plate when said hook is moved to thedetaching position.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein saidconnector unit further comprises a lock mechanism holding the connectorholder at the first position and the second position, respectively, andsaid lock mechanism has a latch piece fixed to the link member, a firstengaging recess, which is provided in the connector holder, and whichcan be engaged with the latch piece when the connector holder is movedto the first position, and a second engaging recess, which can beengaged with the latch piece when the connector holder is moved to thesecond position.
 19. An electronic apparatus system comprising:acard-like electronic part having a terminal; an electronic apparatusunit having a bottom surface and a side surface continuous to saidbottom surface, said side surface has an inlet into which said card-likeelectronic part is detachably inserted with the terminal entering firstin an insertion direction hand said bottom surface has an openingcorresponding to the insertion position of said card-like electronicpart, and a first connector to which said terminal of the cardlikeelectronic part is detachably connected is arranged in said opening; anexpansion unit containing an expansion device for expanding the functionof the electronic apparatus unit, and said expansion unit having anoverlaying surface on which the bottom surface of the electronicapparatus unit is overlaid, and a connector holder projecting throughthe overlaying surface, and entering the opening when the electronicapparatus unit is overlaid on the overlaying surface, and said connectorholder is provided to be movable to a direction connecting andseparating to/from said first connector in the opening; a secondconnector provided in said connector holder, and electrically connectedto the expansion device; and a connector connection mechanism providedin said expansion unit, moving the connector holder to a directionapproaching to the first connector, and electrically connecting thesecond connector to the first connector.
 20. The system according toclaim 19, wherein said overlaying surface of the expansion unit has ashape and a size which are substantially the same as the bottom surfaceof the electronic apparatus unit.
 21. The system according to claim 19,wherein said electronic apparatus unit further comprises a pushingmechanism for pushing said card-like electronic part or second connectorinserted into said card insertion section outside through said inlet,and said pushing mechanism has a slider slidable in the insertiondirection of the card-like electronic part and an operation member,projected to the outside of the electronic apparatus unit to be operatedby a tip of an operator's finger, for sliding said slider, and saidslider has a pair of pressing pieces, which is hooked to said terminalof the card-like electronic part or said second connector, and fordetaching said terminal or second connector from said first connector.22. The system according to claim 19, wherein said card-like electronicpart is a memory card.
 23. The system according to claim 19, whereinsaid expansion unit comprises a fixing hook detachably hooked to theelectronic apparatus unit overlaid on the overlaying surface, a movablehook detachably hooked to the electronic apparatus unit from the sideopposite to the fixing hook, and positioning the electronic apparatusunit at the fixed position on the overlaying surface, and said movablehook is provided in said expansion unit to be movable over the portionbetween an engaging position where the movable hook is engaged with theelectronic apparatus unit and a detaching position where the movablehook is detached from the electronic apparatus unit, and a hookoperation mechanism for moving said movable hook to the engagingposition and the detaching position, respectively, and said hookoperation mechanism has a maintaining mechanism, which can be engagedwith said connector connection mechanism, and said maintaining mechanismlocks the connector holder to the first position where the secondconnector is detached from the first connector, and to the secondposition where the second connector is connected to the first connectorwhen the maintaining mechanism is engaged with the connector connectionmechanism, and releases the lock of said connector holder when themaintaining mechanism is disengaged with the connector connectionmechanism.
 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein saidmaintaining mechanism comprises a spring urging the maintainingmechanism to move in a direction where the maintaining mechanism isalways engaged with said connector connection mechanism, and theengagement with said connector connection mechanism is released whensaid movable hook is moved to the engaging position through said hookoperation mechanism.
 25. The system according to claim 23, wherein saidexpansion unit comprises a main body in which the expansion device iscontained, and the connector unit having the connector holder, theconnector connection mechanism, the movable hook, the hook operationmechanism and the maintaining mechanism, the connector unit isdetachably connected to the main body, and the main body and theconnector unit have a connection mechanism for electrically connectingthe expansion device to the second connector.
 26. The system accordingto claim 25, wherein said connector unit comprises a base platepositioned on the overlaying surface, and a cover covering said baseplate, and the connector holder, the connector connection mechanism, themovable hook, the hook operation mechanism, and the maintainingmechanism are provided on said base plate.
 27. The system according toclaim 25, wherein said main body has an upper surface forming theoverlaying surface, the upper surface has an attaching recess to whichthe connector unit is attached, and when the connector unit is attachedto the attaching recess, said connector unit is continuous to the uppersurface of the main body to be flush therewith, and has an upper surfaceforming a part of the overlaying surface.
 28. The system according toclaim 27, wherein said main body has the fixing hook, and said connectorunit has the movable hook.
 29. An electronic apparatus systemcomprising:an electronic apparatus unit having a card insertion sectioninto which a card-like electronic part having a terminal is accessiblyinserted, a first connector provided in said card insertion section, anexposure opening formed adjacent to the card insertion section so as toexpose the first connector to the outside of the card insertion section,and the card-like electronic part being accessively set into the cardinsertion section with the terminal being inserted therein; an expansionunit containing an expansion device for expanding the function of theelectronic apparatus unit; and a second connector provided as part ofsaid expansion unit, said second connector being accessibly insertedfrom the exposure opening into said card insertion section and connectedto said first connector at the time of the extraction of the card-likeelectronic part from the insertion section, so that said electronicapparatus unit and the expansion unit are electrically connected to eachother.
 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein said electronicapparatus unit comprises a base unit having an input device in said cardinsertion section, and a display unit having a flat panel displayrotatably coupled to said base unit, and said display unit is rotatableover a portion between a closed position where said input device iscovered and an open position where said input device is uncovered. 31.The system according to claim 29, wherein said electronic apparatus unitfurther comprises a pushing mechanism for pushing said inserted cardlikeelectronic part or second connector outside of said exposure opening,wherein said pushing mechanism has a slider slidable in the insertiondirection of the card-like electronic part and an operation member,projected to the outside of the electronic apparatus unit to be operatedby a tip of an operator's finger, for sliding said slider, and whereinsaid slider has a pair of pressing pieces, which are hooked to saidterminal of the card-like electronic part or said second connector, fordetaching said terminal or second connector from said first connector.32. The system according to claim 29, wherein said expansion unitcomprises an overlaying surface on which the bottom surface of saidelectronic apparatus unit is overlaid.
 33. The system according to claim32, wherein said expansion unit comprises a case in which the expansiondevice is contained and a connector unit having said second connector,and wherein the connector unit is detachably attached to said case. 34.The system according to claim 33, wherein said case comprises an uppersurface forming the overlaying surface, said upper surface has anattaching recess to which the connector unit is detachably attached, andsaid connector unit is continuous with the upper surface of the case tobe flush therewith at the times when the connector unit is attached tothe attaching recess, and has an upper surface forming a part of saidoverlaying surface.
 35. The system according to claim 34, wherein saidattaching recess has a bottom surface on which the connector unit isoverlaid, a side surface continuous with the bottom surface, and acontact terminal electrically connected to the expansion device in theside surface, wherein said case has a side surface opposite to the sidesurface of the attaching recess, a terminal metallic fittingelectrically connected to the second connector in the side surface, andwherein the connector unit is attached to the attaching recess, saidterminal electrically connects the expansion device to the secondconnector.
 36. The system according to claim 33, wherein said case andconnector unit comprise positioning means for positioning the connectorunit at the attaching recess, and said positioning means comprises firstengaging means provided in the connector unit and second engaging meansprovided in said attaching recess to be engaged with said first engagingmeans.
 37. The system according to claim 33, wherein said connector unitcomprises an outer peripheral surface adjacent to the overlayingsurface, and a connector holder projected from the outer peripheralsurface, and said connector holder has an end surface entering theexposure opening and being opposite to said first connector when theelectronic apparatus unit is overlaid on the overlaying surface, and thesecond connector is attached to the end surface.
 38. The systemaccording to claim 37, wherein said connector holder is held by saidconnector unit to be movable over a portion between a first positionwhere the second connector is separated from the first connector in theexposure opening and a second position where the second connectorcontacts the first connector in the exposure opening.
 39. The systemaccording to claim 38, wherein said connector unit further comprises anoperation mechanism for moving the connector holder to the secondposition from the first position, and the operation mechanism has apressing portion projected to the outside of the connector unit.
 40. Thesystem according to claim 38, wherein said expansion unit furthercomprises a maintaining mechanism for maintaining the electronicapparatus unit at a fixed position on the overlaying surface, saidmaintaining mechanism has a pair of first hooks provided in the case ofthe expansion unit and a pair of second hooks provided in the connectorunit, and said first and second hooks are opposite to each other on theoverlaying surface and detachably engaged with the electronic apparatusunit.
 41. The system according to claim 40, wherein said second hooksare provided in said connector unit to be movable over a portion betweenan engaging position where said second hooks are engaged with theelectronic apparatus unit and a detaching position where said secondhooks are detached from the electronic apparatus unit, and saidconnector unit has a hook operation mechanism for moving the secondhooks between the engaging position and the detaching position.
 42. Thesystem according to claim 41, wherein said hook operation mechanismcomprises a pair of slide plates each having the second hooks, a linkmember stretching between the slide plates and linearly slidable in adirection crossing the slide plates, an operation lever sliding the linkmember, said link member includes two ends crossing the slide plates,and each of the two ends has a cam for sliding said slide plates byslidably connecting the ends to the slide plates.
 43. The systemaccording to claim 42, wherein said connector unit comprises a baseplate positioned on the overlaying surface and said hook operationmechanism is arranged on said base plate.
 44. The system according toclaim 43, wherein Bach of said slide plates has a roller forrespectively contacting one of the cams.
 45. The system according toclaim 42, wherein said link member has a first stopper hooked to one ofthe slide plates when said second hook is moved to the engagingposition, and a second stopper hooked to the other slide plate when saidhook is moved to the detaching position.
 46. The system according toclaim 42, wherein said connector unit further comprises a lock mechanismholding the connector holder at the first position and the secondposition, respectively, and said lock mechanism has a latch piece fixedto the link member, a first engaging recess, which is provided in theconnector holder, which can be engaged with the latch piece when theconnector holder is moved to the first position, and a second engagingrecess, which can be engaged with the latch piece when the connectorholder is moved to the second position.